However, following the signing of forward Francis Lee, the Blues embarked on an unbeaten run that saw them challenge for the top of the table.

A televised victory against Tottenham Hotspur in snowy conditions proved particularly notable, becoming known as the Ballet on Ice.

Club captain Johnny Crossan struggled with injuries in 1966–67, and was sold to Middlesbrough for £34,500 in the close season.

[4] The team travelled to Europe in pre-season, playing friendlies against Eintracht Braunschweig and Standard Liège.

[5] Between matches, the players followed a fitness plan created by former athlete Joe Lancaster, under instruction from Malcolm Allison.

[11] Harry Dowd kept goal in the next match, a 1–0 defeat at Arsenal,[12] but then dislocated a finger, prompting a debut for Mulhearn in the season's first Manchester derby.

[11] Colin Bell scored the opener after five minutes, but two Bobby Charlton goals meant a win for Manchester United.

In the second half of the match, Bowles exchanged punches with Brian Kidd, though neither man was sent off, largely thanks to the intervention of their respective captains.

A couple of days after the Roker Park defeat, Manchester City completed the signing of centre-forward Francis Lee from Bolton Wanderers for a club record £60,000.

[18] Aided by a modification to the studs on their boots suggested by Tony Book,[19] City produced one of their best footballing performances in their history.

The unbeaten run came to an end at Christmas, with back-to-back defeats in matches against West Bromwich Albion causing the club to fall to fourth place.

[22] The team commenced 1968 with a seven match unbeaten run, starting with consecutive 3–0 wins at Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United, and culminating in a 5–1 defeat of Fulham to go top of the table.

[30] A late Newcastle goal set up a nervy finish, but City held on to win 4–3 and secure the title.

Source: rsssf.com As a top-flight side, Manchester City entered the FA Cup in the third round proper, and were drawn at home to Reading of the Third Division.

With City unusually wearing their maroon change kit, the match finished goalless, with Tony Coleman missing a penalty.

Fulham were the opponents in the fourth round, meaning City visited Craven Cottage for the second time in as many weeks.

However, Malcolm Allison's prediction that City would "terrify Europe" proved inaccurate, with the club losing to Fenerbahçe in the first round of the European Cup.